Use and linkage of source and output repositories: interviews with chemistry researchers

Findings from interviews with chemistry researchers about the use and linkage of source and output repositories and the expectations of the chemistry research community about their use are reported.

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report research findings from interviews with chemistry researchers about the use and linkage of source and output repositories and the expectations of the chemistry research community about their use. Design/methodology/approach A total of 17 face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with members of academic staff and postgraduate research students (PGRs), in chemistry departments at a number of UK universities. Findings As part of the StORe project ( http://jiscstore.jot.com/WikiHome ), which sought to develop new ways of linking academic publications with repositories of research data, 38 members of academic and research staff from institutions across the UK provided valuable feedback regarding the nature of their research, the type of data that they produce, the sharing and availability of research data and the use and expectations of source and output repositories. Research limitations/implications Interpretation of the results must recognise that the majority of the interviewees worked in the area of theoretical/computational chemistry and therefore their views may not be representative of other chemistry research fields. Originality/value Studies about the workflows and the norms in the use of source and output repositories are limited in the literature.